35 spindles and axle worn. Looking for a needle thrust bearing
 

When I recently pulled my front axle out of my 35 convertible I found it was badly bent. So I had another sandblasted but when I locate the spindle there’s approx 1/8” gap between the bottom of the spindle and the axle, it’s worn that much.
Has anybody sourced a thin .8125” spindle thrust bearing to resolve this issue? I can find a 22 mm one but not .8125. I’m sure I’ll have to do a little tidy up to get gaps right but having trouble finding something correct id. Thanks Dan.

Re: 35 spindles and axle worn. Looking for a needle thrust bearing
 

Is that the area where the felt goes . Better check where every thing goes. JMHO

Re: 35 spindles and axle worn. Looking for a needle thrust bearing
 

I have corrected this issue several times by adding shims under the standard king pin bearing.

Re: 35 spindles and axle worn. Looking for a needle thrust bearing
 

If you are really worried about it, Greg Hayes @ Anson Axles can repair it and you'd never know the area was fixed. He could even put a very slight drop it in to make the front just a tad lower.

He use to be in CA, but he moved to Charlotte, TN.

Re: 35 spindles and axle worn. Looking for a needle thrust bearing
 

McMaster Carr has a good selection of shims. Look for ring shims.

https://www.mcmaster.com/shims/shims/ring-shims-7/

If shipping is too expensive you might try a local bearing supply.

John

Re: 35 spindles and axle worn. Looking for a needle thrust bearing
 

I would think you'd be installing new king pins, shims usually come with the kits??
Paul in CT

Re: 35 spindles and axle worn. Looking for a needle thrust bearing
 

Typically with this type of wear the shims that are supplied in kits are not near enough.

Re: 35 spindles and axle worn. Looking for a needle thrust bearing
 

Correct about the shims, it needs way more. Using nos 35/36 ford kingpin replacement it comes with a thrust bearing that goes under the round brake “knob” On top of the kingpin and when the pin is locked in position there’s still approx 1/8 gap under the stub axle to axle, and this is where the 37 kits have Their thrust bearing, so I figured if I can locate a thin needle thrust bearing here it would help the steering ??
A buddy behind me can machine a shim to correct thickness, was just hoping for a bearing. By the way I’m in Australia, I think the closest place to me that does recognised axle dropping is 2000 miles away. It’s going in a convertible sedan so really just like it pretty standard.

Re: 35 spindles and axle worn. Looking for a needle thrust bearing
 

Hey fellow convertible sedan owner. I have also used valve spring shims (not flathead)
I have not done a 36 style axle this way. As I ya several 36s I will I look & see how I would correct it & get back with you.

Re: 35 spindles and axle worn. Looking for a needle thrust bearing
 

jimvette has it right, thats where the felt and its dust cap go. the load from the car is on the bearing on top. that space is controlled by the lock pin in the king pin, and shims if necessary, and the spindle can not slide down far enough to ever fill the gap, or touch the axle boss and spindle together. a big gap at the top would be a problem, the bottom supports nothing, just needs the felt

Re: 35 spindles and axle worn. Looking for a needle thrust bearing
 

Dan ,Not to upstage , but Some time ago we had to replace King pins in this 34 with 48 backing plates I remember going back to the supplier to swape the new pins for ones that had the Cotter / lock pin in a different position that let the head locate correctly , not sure if this is your problem ,so they are avaliable from maybe Drake ,Ted

Removed the picture in Case some one might get confused as to the correct way to do this

Re: 35 spindles and axle worn. Looking for a needle thrust bearing
 

I think of it like this, on the 32-36s the front end "hangs" on the kingpin. That gap just needs the felt washer.

Mart.

Re: 35 spindles and axle worn. Looking for a needle thrust bearing
 

Flathead Ted those are the wrong King Pins.

Re: 35 spindles and axle worn. Looking for a needle thrust bearing
 

Jim Vett ,I know they are not 34 ,Cant remember now but did mess with the bushes for grease .,Thanks for the comment .Ted

Re: 35 spindles and axle worn. Looking for a needle thrust bearing
 

No you cant use these ,I was talking to my Son and he said these are the ones we removed as they dont have a properly Machined supporting top for the bearing to run on ,, Ted ,

Re: 35 spindles and axle worn. Looking for a needle thrust bearing
 

Flathead Ted I have genuine nos ford 35/36 kingpins that come with the thrust bearing under the brake cup. With it all located I have 1/8 gap. I was just hoping to fill the gap with a needle thrust bearing. I can find 22 mm easy but no luck so far finding.8125. I just thought someone may have gone down this fix before!!

Re: 35 spindles and axle worn. Looking for a needle thrust bearing
 

This is from Vanpelt's

Re: 35 spindles and axle worn. Looking for a needle thrust bearing
 

Why would you want to use a bearing?

Re: 35 spindles and axle worn. Looking for a needle thrust bearing
 

Truthfully, there is no issue to be fixed . . . and there is no LOAD on that portion of the axle to spindle mating (as there is on other designs). So, anything you put in that space is effectively just a spacer and/or oil/lubrication holder. There should be a thin cup-washer and a felt pad/spacer that goes in there. The spindle doesn't move up/down in that gap area as it's location and it's load is being handled by the bearing that sits underneath the top of the king pin.

If you still want a needle thrust bearing, they obviously make them as they are used in the situation where the weight of the car is between the lower part of the axle end the spindle. I believe I have some in my shop - can see if I have a part number?

Re: 35 spindles and axle worn. Looking for a needle thrust bearing
 

Bored and Stroked thanks if you can find a number that would be great.
I’ve been looking at my roadster front end with 37 stub axles, with the thrust bearing under the axle, that makes more sense to me. So when you look at 32-36 design the weight of the car is essentially held by the tapered lock pin that’s keeping the king pin in the one spot? I know this isn’t ford correct , I’m just trying to sort out the excessive ware gap and thought a needle bearing would be better than a shim.